Hjh Nurul Akmar Hj Md Jaafar, Head of Retail Banking, BIBD, showcasing a sneak peek of BIBD NEXGEN Wallet (NFC) which will kick off in January 2019

As part of BIBD’s efforts to support the de-cashing of the economy (meaning less reliance on real cash in hand), BIBD has already introduced digital conveniences such as BIBD Quickypay for QR code payments (introduced a few months ago), BIBD vCard or Virtual MasterCard, its MasterCard Contactless and Visa payWave under its BIBD NEXGEN platform.

There is still room for growth in this department and BIBD will soon up their game by using NFC (Near Field Communication) where all you need is tapping your smartphone only. This is quite common in the US and UK and even in China. This is where BIBD will come in as a pioneer by introducing BIBD NEXGEN Wallet.

This will be made possible once their next BIBD app version will be available in January 2019. It will be synced from the user’s debit or virtual cards to the NEXGEN Wallet which means you don’t have to fork out your debit cards and simply tap your smartphone on the payment terminal.

Hjh Nurul Akmar Hj Md Jaafar, Head of Retail Banking, BIBD, said that all the customers have to do is place or tap your smartphone on the terminal and it will automatically open the BIBD app and it will prompt you for a pin number. After being verified, the transaction will be complete. The cool thing about the BIBD NEXGEN Wallet is that it can function without internet, for purchases up to BND 100.

This is something many will be looking forward to and furthermore, BIBD is well prepared as most of their existing merchants have card terminals which are able to receive NFC payment. Awesome!! The only thing is that the NFC service will only be available for Android users. As for IOS users (Apple), BIBD will be in talks with Apple in hoping that NFC can be readied for BIBD users on IOS.

This is the way of the future indeed and I hope the traction will be higher once NFC become available in Brunei and thank you to BIBD for pioneering this technological move.

It is a great movement to announce, living donor liver transplantation facility is soon made available in Brunei Darussalam through Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) and Yashoda Hospitals, India.

As we all know Yashoda Hospitals is with one of best track record for best organ transplant program and since three decades, Yashoda Group of Hospitals has evolved as a centre of excellence in medicine providing the highest quality standards of medical treatment to patients.

“This partnership will further improve the quality and effectiveness of health care for all Bruneians and make Brunei Darussalam among one of the medical tourism destination for quality patient care, we are committed to provide an optimal treatment and to ensure that all our patients have the most pleasant stay possible at JPMC.” said Mr. Varghese Paulose, Chief Operating Officer of JPMC. “JPMC provides the most effective health care services, as well as individual attention and personal dedication from doctors and staff who foster patient’s confidence and hope.” he added.

“This joint medical partnership will bring a team of highly trained specialists with many decades of combined experience and continues a tradition of excellence with leading-edge health care capabilities, a team of experienced professionals, a team approach to patient care designed for your comfort, hope and most important of all, healing.” said Dr. Kabeer Meera Saheeb, Medical Director of JPMC. “This joint venture involves local medical and nursing personals. There will be technology transfer over 5 years for the advancements of surgical intensive care, radiological and laboratory services.” added Dr. Kabeer.

The Liver Transplant facility at JPMC, the clinical pathway jointly offers by Yashoda Group of Hospitals, India and JPMC.

Ministry of Health, Brunei Darussalam will be involved actively in pre-operative evaluation and screening for liver transplants and post-operative management to improve health for successful liver transplant outcomes.

To support the transplant care, JPMC will have a transplant coordinator who will work closely with doctors, patients, relative and donor throughout transplant care.

“Adult patients with end-stage liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and acute fulminant hepatic failures and pediatric patients with congenital liver cirrhosis, biliary atresia, and metabolic liver diseases are all indications for liver transplantation. Whether or not recipients are good candidates for liver transplantation is determined by examining and analyzing each patient’s medical condition and characteristics.” said Dr. (Prof) Balachandran Menon, Director of Liver Transplant of Yashoda Institute of Liver Transplant & Hepatobiliary Diseases.

Dr Balachandran highlighted, “The liver is an organ that can be transplanted in part or in whole. Patients can receive a portion of the liver from family members. The donor’s remaining liver regenerates, allowing for the donor to lead a normal healthy life without risks. A donor and recipient must be of similar build and should have compatible blood types, and possibility for donation is determined after thorough examinations. A donor whose liver functions are normal and healthy is qualified as a donor candidate as long as the liver is without illness, infection and cancer.”

How long the patient’s need to be hospitalized

Patients will stay in the hospital for around three to five weeks after liver transplantation and will have regular outpatient visits after discharge. To prevent complications of organ transplantation, all patients must take an immunosuppressant drug every day.

My thoughts:

It’s pretty cool to see JPMC offering such services which will kick off hopefully in the first quarter of 2019. The specalists from Yashoda Group of Hospitals saw the opportunity to collaborate with JPMC and this will also help to bring international patients to Brunei waters which provides a great environment especially for recovery. It was also mentioned that the liver donor is ideally between the age of 18 to 50.

Did you know that our liver even cut in half can still grow in a whole liver overtime? Interesting. So it makes sense why liver can be transplanted to another person just as long as the liver has no complications.

Jonathan Chong, representative from ThunderX3 Brunei with Zul Abdul Rahman, Marketing Executive of Concepts Computer during the launch of the new models of the ThunderX3 chairs at Brilliance Hall, Concepts Computer earlier this morning

Check out the new ThunderX3 BC1 and BC3 gaming chairs at Concepts Computer. I just tried it and I am already thinking of investing on it after the renovation of my entertainment room is completed. These chairs are of great comfort and support and it’s not just ideal for gamers but even someone like me who spent hours in front of a desktop.

It has a minimalist style the can appeal to both working or gaming environment. They are equipped with high-end AIR Technology that helps to create better breathability and these chairs help to provide cool and refreshing experiences especially during long gaming experience, or in my case, surfing and youtubing haha.

Three colors are available for the ThunderX3 BC1 – Cyan on Black, Red on Black or all Black. These chairs are now priced at BND 230 as part of the Brunei salebration. The usual price was BND 275 and comes with a one-year warranty.

The newer models – ThunderX3 BC3 comes in two colours – Red and Cyan. These are priced at BND 330 and also comes with 1 year warranty. The usual price is BND 375. So it’s a great time to invest in these minimalist chairs which provide both comfort and experience.

Now here’s a special deal for all Rano360.com readers. All you have to do is mention my name and you will get BND 10 Concepts Computer voucher after purchasing either the ThunderX3 BC1 or the ThunderX3 BC3 chairs. Cool, aye? And the BND 10 voucher will have a validity of 30 days. So don’t be shy to mention my name “Ranoadidas” when you purchase these models.

According to Jonathan Chong, representative from ThunderX3 Brunei, his company is very pleased to be working alongside Concepts Computer especially with the wide variety of IT products and services provided. He believed Brunei gamers who require longer hours of practice can see the benefits of using ThunderX3 chairs.

A huge range of gaming chairs are also available at Concepts Computer including VertaGear, Noble, DXRacer, ThunderX3 and many other brands. There are even demo units on stand-by for walk-in customers who want to test the chairs before purchasing it.

For more info, you can call 223 3551/2/3 or visit their branch at Kiulap.

The new Audi Q3 offers bumper-to-bumper safety: The compact family SUV earned the top score of five stars in the Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme), one of the most important automobile safety tests in Europe.

To get the highest rating of five stars, a car has to score in all key Euro NCAP criteria. The new Audi Q3 succeeded in doing so with flying colors – in the category adult occupant protection as well as for child safety, vulnerable road user protection and driver assistance systems. The actively supporting safety systems – which include automatic emergency braking for city traffic and for highways – are included in the overall NCAP assessment with a 40% weighting for adult occupant, 20% weighting for vulnerable road users and 20% weighting for safety assist.

The new Audi Q3 has these technologies on board. The safety systems Audi pre sense basic and Audi pre sense front are standard equipment. The latter provides the driver with a visual, audible and haptic warning when critical situation involving pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles are detected via radar. It even initiates emergency braking if necessary. Also included as standard equipment is Audi side assist, which warns of hazards when changing lanes Audi active lane assist is also standard. This system helps to prevent the vehicle from leaving its lane unintentionally. The optional assistance package bundles the adaptive cruise assist, camera-based traffic sign recognition, parking system plus, high-beam assist and emergency assist.

The new Audi Q3 is also tops when it comes to passenger protection. Components made of hot-shaped steel form the backbone of the passenger cell. They are used primarily at the transition from the longitudinal members to the bulkhead, in the center tunnel, the sills, the A- and B-pillars, the roof frame and the rear longitudinal members. The hot-shaped components, which combine low weight with extreme strength, comprise 26% of the body by weight. Their combination lays the foundation for high crash safety and rigidity.

The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) is supported by a consortium of European transport ministries, automobile clubs, insurance associations and research institutes. Twelve institutions from eight European countries are involved. Almost all new vehicles are tested and rated on their passive and active safety in the Euro NCAP. The program’s test requirements considerably exceed the applicable standards required under European legislation.

GrowTec Marketing Enterprise, the parent company of Mothercare Brunei and Bebeland is holding a Warehouse Clearance Sale from 28 November until 18 December from 9am – 7pm at Block 1-4 Higher Point Industrial Phase 1, Kampong Salar, Jalan Muara.

The sale which started recently offers up to 70% discount on various kids and baby products.

Dr. Juliana Latif (2nd from left) sharing her product line to the guests at Avenue 41 last Sunday

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According to their official website, Le Miracle De La Vie was created and formulated by a pair of female doctors who were driven scientifically for results, in search for the perfect skincare products that could address everyday women’s skin needs and concerns. Their decisions were based on two key elements, effectiveness and user experience.

Premium active ingredients, clinically tested for their effectiveness on the skin, were handpicked from an award-winning Switzerland based lab, with the primary objective to address essential skin issues of hydration, whitening and anti-aging which are the main focus for Le Miracle de La Vie. It was imperative that the concentrations of each active ingredient were kept high and never compromised.

To enhance the user’s experience luxurious textures with sophisticated scents are a pivotal characteristic of each product. Like a shot of caffeine, the daytime products are refreshing and awakens the body and spirit. Like a relaxing cup of camomile tea, the night-time products will calm and sooth the mind to melt away stress. Immaculately wrapped in exclusively designed boxes, Le Miracle De La Vie chose Rose Gold as their signature stamp to emulate sophistication, luxury and premium quality.

To my surprise, one of the founders happened to be a Bruneian and a mutual friend of mine, Dr. Juliana Latif, who nows run two clinics, one General Health Clinic and the other in Aesthetics and Wellness, in Singapore. It has been her dream to pursue into aesthetics when she noticed changes in her own skin. Slowly, she created her own brand Lavie that focuses on whitening range and anti-aging range.

Even with a short span of time in the market, Lavie have won two awards from Beauty Insider Singapore in the Beauty & Wellness Awards 2018 – the first being Best Breakthrough Product for Lavie’s Youth Defying Night Crème and the second being Best Face Save Facial Serum for Lavie’s Intense Lightening Serum. That alone is a great testament for Lavie and Dr. Juliana shared how the awards have boosted their exposure in Singapore market and now she targets the regional market including China where her products are quite well received.

Recently, Dr. Juliana hosted a small event at Avenue 41 to introduce her Lavie line in Brunei Darussalam. The reception has been very positive during the short visit and she hopes one day, the products will be readily available in Brunei Darussalam in the near future.

For the moment, those who are interested, you make your order online through their official website or if you happen to be in Singapore, you can visit Lavie’s physical store at #04-11, Wheelock Place, 501 Orchard Road.

All the best, Dr. Juliana, in your business venture in aesthetics and wellness. Your dreams are definitely being pursued. It was great to see you again after such a long time.

One of the products from Lavie being displayed at Avenue 41

You can opt for this box and try out four products from Lavie

A beautiful set up at Avenue 41

Dr. Juliana mingling with her guests

Another award from Beauty Insider for Lavie’s Intense Lightening Serum

At-Taqwa Travel Tours Sdn Bhd has been making a name for themselves for the past year or so. With a very solid team, they provided the best service to every customer they can within their resources. I have worked closely with them last year during my Umrah trip and they were very particular when it came to service.

And yes, when you provide good service, you will eventually get more customers and so they did. The last travel fair, Sabre Travel Fair 2018 drew 562 bookings and it was the biggest milestone for a new player in the industry.

Apart from that At-Taqwa also had special lucky draw promotions and yesterday, three top winners were feted with awesome prizes from the travel agent.

The Grand Prize went to Massharyanti binti Haji Hussain who won an Umrah package for two. The second prize winner went to Fauzian Hj Samat with a BND 2,500 travel voucher while third place winner won a BND 1,500 travel voucher which went to Muhd Wazif Asryaf bin Md Affendy.

Ak Md Nassiruddeen Pg Hj Yussof, Chief Financial Officer of At-Taqwa Travels Tour thanked the customers for their support during the travel fair and also to their loyal customers.

All present during the prize presentation were Pg Hj Rosdimar bin Pg Hj Omarali, Managing Director of At-Taqwa Travels Tour and the management as well as representative from Royal Brunei Airlines.

At-Taqwa Travels Tour will be in full swing this until next year as the first batch of Umrah pilgrims will fly off today. They have been busy with the preparations especially with the practical session for the pilgrims to be familiar before they reach the Holy land.

You can follow their updates on IG @at_taqwa_travel_tours for updates.

Jati Transport Sdn Bhd arranged a special Mercedes Benz Driving Experience #MBDE for the selected winners to test drive the latest range of Mercedes-Benz models in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Also present were representatives from Jati Transport Sdn Bhd and members of the media. More stories to follow on upcoming post. Stay tune 🙂

They managed to have a driving experience on the Sepang International Circuit for a few hours

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A blogger since 2002, using platforms from blogspot, joomla and now currently wordpress. A readership that stands on average of 20,000 visits per month. Also on active on social media platform on IG, Facebook and Snapchat (@ranoadidas)

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